Online Poker Tournament Final Table Game Strategy

If you have reached the final table, then firstly, well done! You have clearly played a solid game and employed a good poker tournament strategy. You are already well into the money and have outlasted and outwitted most of the players. Now is the time to buckle up and maximise our earnings.

Final Table Poker

At this point you have to decide what your goal is. Ideally, you would aim to finish within the top three places. You can proceed cautiously and wait until other players with smaller stacks are forced all-in and eliminated in order to move up a spot or two. Alternatively, you can go for first place by being the aggressor and risking all your chips.

By this time in the poker tournament, blinds are huge and will make a significant dent in your stack. Pre-flop play is the most crucial aspect of the game now.

The opponents you are up against at the final should be familiar to you. You should know who is using a tight tournament strategy, which players are calling stations and which players will re-raise with a trash hand. A large part of final table play is psychological. And, of course, a little luck wouldn’t hurt either.

Final Table Poker Tournament Playing Style

When there are only three or four people left at the table, a well-timed aggressive style usually works well whether you have a short, average or large. This means that you should be able to sense when someone is weak and is trying to steal the blinds and put pressure on them by re-raising them pre-flop.

You will have to take many risks and possess courage to make calls to move ahead. However, remember that you need a stronger hand to call a bet than to make the initial bet. Unless you are seriously short-stacked, it would be a wise choice to fold low pocket pairs or Ace rags if a person in front of you raises a substantial amount. Wait for a more suitable time to make your move.

Poker Tournament Heads Up

Again, aggressive play is the key here. In a heads up situation, almost any hand is playable. Raise and re-raise with strong hands. If you decide to play a hand, make sure your opponent pays dearly to see the flop. If you flop a great hand such as a straight or full-house, it might be worth slow-playing to give your opponent a chance to take a stab at the pot. Good luck!

About How to Play Poker

This is the How to Play Poker Guide, a weblog by the staff at Gambling Guru about poker strategy and numerous poker tournaments taking place around the globe. Our news updates, betting guide, and tips are designed to help you turn your passion for poker into profit.